Miami Dolphins Talking Points: Playing it coy with Tom Brady

Coach Tony Sparano talked his way around the issue when he was asked Friday about putting pressure on Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady. That’s where we start our Saturday talking points:

1. Putting pressure on Brady is easier said than done.

Teams often say they’re going after Brady to throw him off his game, but the fact is Brady has been sacked only twice in three games this year, and with weapons like slot receiver Wes Welker and rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez, he typically finds a way to get the ball off before being hauled down.

Sparano sounded more like he’ll be picking his spots when to pressure Brady – third-and-long situations, or when Brady least expects a strong rush. That cat-and-mouse games is always part of the intrigue playing against Brady, one of the league’s most intelligent quarterbacks.

2. The absence of RB Kevin Faulk makes the Patriots an easier team to play against.

Faulk, one of Brady’s favorite targets in short-yardage situations and a tough runner in his own right, tore his ACL in the game against the Jets and won’t play anymore this season. His absence deprives Brady of one of his favorite targets, and while Sammy Morris and BenJarvus Green-Ellis are both capable of catching passes, neither is nearly the threat Faulk has been over the years.

3. The Dolphins would love to get more out of kick returner Pat Cobbs.

Cobbs has seemed a step slower since returning from the ACL tear he suffered last season, and his lack of explosiveness has been most noticeable on kickoff returns. Cobbs has averaged 21.9 yards on seven returns with a long of 30.

Cobbs averaged 23.6 yards on eight returns in 2008 and 22.6 on 16 last year, when some observers felt he was a more reliable option than Ted Ginn Jr. If he can’t do more, it might be time to take another look at rookie Nolan Carroll in that role.